Lighting apparatus

ABSTRACT

A lighting device configured to produce a flame at a flame point upon operation of an actuator. Extending between the actuator and the flame point is a flexible extension, which is configured to be manipulated into a desired non-linear configuration, and remain in such desired non-linear configuration during production of the flame and positioning of the flame near a location to be lighted.

BACKGROUND

Elongated matches and other rigid lighting devices have existed for some time, to address the problem of providing a flame point at a location spaced from the user's hand. Typically, such a device is formed as a straight, rigid elongate structure that extends some distance between the flame point and a portion that is held by the user. Such a device is useful and desirable for lighting candles, pilot lights, gas sources, etc., where the lighting location is difficult to access with a conventional (non-elongated) match or lighter, or where it is desirable to have the user's hand spaced from the lighting location.

Though often beneficial, the elongate lighting devices discussed above are limited in their ability to access difficult-to-reach lighting locations. In particular, the typical rigid elongate configuration can pose significant constraints on the ability to position the flame point in certain areas that are hard to reach.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a lighting device according to the present description.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the lighting device of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 show an embodiment of a lighting device 10 according to the present description. Device 10 includes a handle 12 and a flexible extension 14 extending between the handle and flame point 16. An actuator, such as trigger 18, may be mounted to handle 12 in a location selected to enable easy operation of the trigger 18 by an operator of the device. For example, as in the depicted exemplary embodiment, trigger 18 may be positioned on an upper side of handle 12 so as to allow a user to hold and operate device 10 with one hand. Specifically, trigger 18 may be located so as to be easily operated by the user's thumb.

In any event, device 10 typically is configured so that operation of trigger 18 causes a flame to be produced at flame point 16. As explained in more detail below, flexible extension 14 may provide a number of advantages. The extension allows the flame to be produced at a location (e.g., flame point 16) spaced from the user's hand. This can provide a safety benefit in settings where it is desirable that the user's hand be spaced from the flame point, or from the thing that the flame is applied to. In addition, extension 14 allows flame to be applied to locations that would otherwise be difficult to reach or access.

Device 10 may employ flammable fluid as a fuel source. For example, a fuel reservoir or chamber 20 may be disposed within handle 12. Fuel chamber 20 is fluidly coupled with flame point 16 via a flexible fuel line 22 extending from handle 12 to flame point 16. Flexible extension 14 may itself be the flexible fuel line, or fuel line 22 may be incorporated as a separate structure which is typically, though not necessarily, located within flexible extension 14. The fuel may be butane or any other appropriate gas or liquid fuel.

Typically, in flammable fuel configurations such as those just described, operation of trigger 18 causes a flow of fuel to be delivered through fuel line 22, and causes ignition of the fuel so as to produce a flame at flame point 16. For example, in the depicted illustrative embodiment, trigger 18 is movable forward from a first position to a second position. While being moved to the second position, a triggering mechanism (not shown) is actuated so as to produce an ignition spark at flame point 16. Also, movement of the trigger to the second mechanism releases a flow of fuel from fuel chamber 20 through fuel line 22 and out a fuel nozzle 24 located at or near flame point 16. The spark ignites the flowing fuel, and a flame is produced at flame point 16. Holding the trigger in the second position causes the fuel flow to continue, so as to maintain the flame during the lighting process. Releasing the trigger allows it to return to the first position, thereby cutting off the fuel flow and causing the flame to extinguish.

Typically a flow rate control is provided to allow the user to selectively adjust the rate of fuel flow and thereby the size of the flame produced. In the depicted example, adjustment of fuel delivery is effected through operation of an adjustment wheel 26 provided on handle 12 at the end of device 10.

Flexible extension 14 may take a variety of different configurations, though typically the extension is flexible so as to enable flame point 16 to be positioned in a variety of different orientations relative to handle 12. This increases the flexibility of the device, and enables flame to be applied to a variety of locations that otherwise would be difficult or impossible to access.

In addition, as in the depicted example, it will typically be desirable that flexible extension 14 be configured to remain in a desired shape (non-linear, in many cases) once positioned/manipulated by the user. The shape is then retained during the lighting operation as the flame is applied to the lighting location. In the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 1, this is accomplished by forming flexible extension 14 in a gooseneck configuration, in which several ring-shaped segments, typically metallic, are inter-fitted together to allow the extension to be manipulated into any desired shape, from a linear configuration to complex curved configurations.

Furthermore, a rigid, non-flexible segment may be positioned so as to extend between a forward end of handle 12 and flexible extension 14. This may be desirable in some embodiments to prevent the extension from being bent backward into a position in which the user's hand could get burned. Alternatively, or additionally, a rigid member (e.g., a piece of metal) may be disposed within the interior of flexible extension 14 in an area immediately adjacent the forward end of handle 12.

It is believed that the disclosure set forth above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in its preferred form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed herein. Similarly, where any claim or description recites “a” or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof, such claim or description should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements. 

1. A lighting device, comprising: a flame point; an actuator, where the lighting device is configured so that a flame is produced at the flame point upon operation of the actuator; and a flexible extension extending between the actuator and the flame point, the flexible extension being configured to be manipulated into a desired non-linear configuration, and remain in such desired non-linear configuration during production of the flame and positioning of the flame near a location to be lighted.
 2. The device of claim 1, where the actuator is disposed upon a user-grippable handle of the lighting device.
 3. The device of claim 2, further comprising a fuel reservoir disposed within the user-grippable handle, the fuel reservoir being configured to house a volume of fuel, where such fuel is ignited to produce the flame at the flame point upon operation of the actuator into an actuating position.
 4. The device of claim 2, where the lighting device is configured so that operation of the actuator into an actuating position causes fuel to flow through the flexible extension and out of a fuel nozzle located at the flame point, and causes an igniting spark to be produced at or near the fuel nozzle.
 5. The device of claim 1, where the flexible extension includes a flexible gooseneck structure.
 6. The device of claim 5, where the flexible gooseneck structure is formed from a plurality of interfitted segments.
 7. A lighting device, comprising: a handle; a fuel reservoir disposed within the handle; a trigger secured to the handle; and a flexible fuel line extending from the handle and terminating in a flame point spaced apart from the handle; where the lighting device is configured so that operation of the trigger effects an ignition operation to produce a flame at the flame point, said flame being fed by fuel flowing from the fuel reservoir through the flexible fuel line to a fuel nozzle located at the flame point, and where the flexible fuel line is configured to enable manipulation of the flexible fuel line into a desired configuration, the flexible fuel line being further configured to remain in such desired configuration during a lighting operation.
 8. The device of claim 7, where the flexible fuel line includes a flexible gooseneck structure.
 9. The device of claim 8, where the flexible gooseneck structure is formed from a plurality of interfitted segments.
 10. The device of claim 7, where operation of the trigger into an actuating position causes fuel to flow out of the fuel nozzle and causes an igniting spark to be produced at or near the fuel nozzle.
 11. The device of claim 10, further comprising a flow rate adjustment mechanism operable to adjust a rate at which fuel flows out of the fuel nozzle upon operation of the trigger into the actuating position.
 12. A lighting device, comprising: a handle; a fuel reservoir disposed within the handle; a trigger secured to the handle; and a flexible fuel line extending from the handle and terminating in a flame point spaced apart from the handle; where the lighting device is configured so that operation of the trigger effects an ignition operation to produce a flame at the flame point, said flame being fed by fuel flowing from the fuel reservoir through the flexible fuel line to a fuel nozzle located at the flame point, and where the flexible fuel line is configured to enable positioning of the flame point in a plurality of different positions relative to the handle.
 13. The device of claim 12, where the lighting device is a portable handheld device, and where the trigger is disposed on the handle to enable a user to hold the lighting device and operate the trigger with a single hand.
 14. The device of claim 12, where the flexible fuel line is configured to enable manipulation of the flexible fuel line into a desired configuration, the flexible fuel line being further configured to remain in such desired configuration during a lighting operation.
 15. The device of claim 14, where the desired configuration is curved.
 16. The device of claim 14, where the flexible fuel line includes a flexible gooseneck structure.
 17. The device of claim 16, where the flexible gooseneck structure is formed from a plurality of interfitted segments. 